McNulty ready to return against Cambridge

Mike Simmonds

Hatters captain Steve McNulty will return to the squad for this weekend’s League Two trip to Cambridge United.

The skipper missed Tuesday night’s 0-0 draw at York City, his first absence for a league game in over a season, after his partner was in labour.

But she has now given birth to a baby girl, and boss John Still said: “He’ll be training tomorrow and we’ll see how he is.

“He’s obviously a big player for us, a big character for us, but I have to say, I thought Luke Wilkinson in particular and Alex Lacey were very sound.

“They did a very, very good job which is nice to see, because Alex isn’t the most experienced and Luke has not played hundreds and hundreds of games, so I was really pleased with that, but Steve coming back is a boost.”

Midfielder Matt Robinson could also return after completing his three match ban as Still continued: “Robbo after his little rest is available, so I’m pleased with that as Matthew was doing very well.”

Alex Lawless is out though, while there are doubts over Paul Benson, Curtley Williams and Jake Howells, the latter having to come off after picking a foot injury at Bootham Crescent in midweek.

Still continued: “Alex is not ready yet, it’s just a reocurrence of his hamstring from when he came on as sub (against Plymouth), so he’s not quite right yet.

“Paul has trained today without training full out, we’ll have another look tomorrow, so we’re not sure.

“It was a stud in his (Howells) foot and he hasn’t trained today, so we’re going to have to have a look at that tomorrow, it’s sore, he may be okay though.

“He’s (Wiliams) not trained today. We weren’t sure he’d go 90 but he did (on Tuesday). Fair play to him, his ankle is sore but not too bad, so we’re hoping he’ll be available.

“It’s why we’ve got a strong squad, not just to cater for injuries but to help some of the younger players progress.”

Another who won’t be in contention to start, but might be on the bench is recent signing Nathan Doyle as Still said: “He is available for selection in terms of that he’s now had two weeks training, but would we use him, probably not.

“He needs a game and there’s a game Tuesday, so lets put him in the game Tuesday at Portsmouth and that will tell us where he is.

“He’s training really well at the moment and looking good, but it would be very unfair on Nathan to put him in without a game.

“Will he on the bench? I’ll decide on that tomorrow, but he’s looking okay.”